Community groups, civic associations, schools, bands, and fraternal organizations wanting to march in this year’s annual Bronx Columbus Day Parade may want to consider digging a little deeper into their pockets to help pay for it.

Funding from elected officials this year is expected to be less than in previous years because of budget constraints at City Hall and Albany.

“We will be asking for a donation from every group, because as everyone knows, the elected officials don’t have the kind of money they used to,” said parade committee chairman Tony Signorile. “It is not the elected officials’ choice. So, in order to continue this tradition, we have to ask the groups for some sort of contributi­on.”

In spite of government funding cutbacks, local electeds have pledged to give what they can, said Signorile.

The second largest Columbus parade in New York State is set to step off at noon on Sunday, October 7 from Morris Park Avenue and White Plains Road.

Meanwhile, Signorile urged groups who have not yet signed up to march, to get their applications filed with the committee. The application process calls for all groups marching to sign a waiver of liability.

About 45 groups marched last year, he said.

This year’s grand marshal is Philip Foglia and the honorary grand marshal is Pat Cassano.

“Miss Columbus will be chosen in about a month,” Signorile said. “I have a panel of teachers reviewing the contestants essays right now.”

After the parade, a doo-wop concert is planned for Loreto Park, Signorile said.

The parade is costly because the committee has to pay for marching bands and transportation for some of the groups, Signorile said.

The annual dinner dance will be Sunday, September 30 at Maestro’s on Bronxdale Avenue.

A businessperson who has made a contribution not only to the parade committee, but the greater community, will be honored as well, Signorile said.

Some of the groups that have marched in previous year’s parades include local public and parochial schools, church groups, girl scout and boy scout and explorers groups, little league teams, banks, neighborhood and fraternal organizations.